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BIM Visualizes the “How,” Unlocks the “Why” and Provides a Relationship Value-Add

Last week, I mentioned a partnership I’ve fostered with WP2DC, the company who designed and implemented a cloud-based application for Stewart Perry. We’ve managed to get all our internal information into an easily accessible virtual file cabinet. As a result we’ve cut out a lot of duplicated efforts.

Using a Building Information Modeling (BIM) is our next goal for being more efficient and a better resource. The American Institute of Architects defines it as a “model-based technology linked with a database of project information.” Basically, BIM catalogues a structure throughout its lifecycle in real time 3D. All the details—from design, to functionality, to construction, to operation—are accessible from one file. We had a project T’d up using BIM and because of the Recession the project was delayed. We believe that BIM will be a huge value-add for our customer relationships. That’s because, for us, BIM will:

improve project visualization

improve productivity with easy retrieval of information

increase coordination of construction documents

isolate and define scope of work

increase delivery speed

reduce errors

reduce costs

BIM will allow us to harness technology to drive long-term improvement in project delivery. It’s a soup to nuts philosophy. If problems come up down the road, building owners can look at how a facility was designed, engineered and built. They can address problems with a holistic approach, often saving them tons of time and effort trying to track down the unknown.

BIM is a huge tool for establishing and continuing relationships. However, I won’t recommend BIM without a word of warning. Adaptation means you’ll have to change the way you look at building phases. There’s a lot less alpha and omega and a lot more ebb and flow. Architects, engineers, contractors and other stakeholders will be sharing more information than they’re used to. It’s more effort up front, but in the end, BIM bridges the information loss often associated with handing a project from design team to construction to owner/operator.

Comments

BIM represents an exciting future. Software companies will have to alter their business-revenue models dramatically to cope with the new paradigm. High cost interfaces (that is programs) will become a thing of the past. Traditional drawing/ modelling software companies need to sell their software at very low cost or give it away and find smarter revenue streams. Otherwise they face extinction.

Well said. Just like AutoCAD of about 20 years ago, in a another few years BIM will be the standard. Amazing what BIM will do for the quality of the drawings
produced and the coordination of the building components.